Page 16 - Europe

Trump calls France 'oldest ally,' Macron stresses shared vision for 'peace'

Donald Trump further claimed that he was engaged in serious discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the conflict

Trump to meet French, UK leaders as uncertainty grows about US-Europe ties

President Donald Trump holds talks this week with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a moment of deep uncertainty about the future of transatlantic relations, with Trump transforming American foreign policy and effectively tuning out European leadership as he looks to quickly end Russia's war in Ukraine. Trump also has made demands for territory Greenland, Canada, Gaza and the Panama Canal as well as precious rare earth minerals from Ukraine. Just over a month into his second term, the America First president has cast an enormous shadow over what veteran US diplomats and former government officials had regarded as America's calming presence of global stability and continuity. Despite some notable hiccups, the military, economic and moral power of the United States has dominated the post-World War II era, most notably after the Cold War came to an end with the collapse of the Soviet Union. All of that, some fear, may be lost if Trump gets

US pressures Ukraine to drop UN resolution for Russian troop withdrawal

The US has pressured Ukraine to withdraw its European-backed UN resolution demanding an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine in favour of an American proposal that does not mention Moscow's invasion, a US official and a European diplomat said Sunday. But Ukraine refused to pull its draft resolution, and the UN General Assembly will vote on it Monday, the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, two European diplomats said. The 193-nation General Assembly then is expected to vote on the U.S. draft resolution, according to the diplomats and the US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because private negotiations are still ongoing. The Trump administration is also seeking a vote on its proposal in the more powerful UN Security Council. The 15-nation council will meet Monday afternoon on Ukraine, and late Sunday it scheduled the vote immediately afterward, but the European diplomats said it could be pushed to Tuesday at Russia's request. The duelling .

EU estimates $29.3 billion hit from Trump's steel, aluminum tariffs

As part of his effort to rewrite global trade rules, Trump announced a series of duties including 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum exports that could take effect as soon as March 12

EU Commission prez, top Europe leadership to visit India from Feb 27-28

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen accompanied by the College of Commissioners will visit India next week, during which she is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the EU delegation said here on Friday. "The unprecedented visit, one of the first by the College of Commissioners early in the new mandate, highlights the strong momentum in EU-India relations," the Delegation of the European Union to India said in a statement. On February 27 and 28, President von der Leyen will visit New Delhi accompanied by the College of Commissioners, it said. "It follows President von der Leyen's announcement of a new strategic agenda with India to be presented this year at the EU-India Summit. The visit emphasises the importance of strengthening ties in key areas vital to the prosperity and security of both Europe and India," the statement said. During the visit, the College of Commissioners and the Indian government will hold a plenary ...

European troops, US support for Ukraine plan faces many challenges

As the US and Russia push ahead so far without Ukraine at the table on talks to end the war, political and military leaders in Europe are fleshing out details of a plan for European forces to help ensure Moscow does not attack again. After months of quiet discussions, the proposal has become increasingly public. It will likely be on the agenda when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, two major backers of the idea, visit Washington on separate days next week for talks with President Donald Trump. Starmer, who will visit Thursday, has stressed that the force won't work without US military might to back it up. Persuading Trump to provide it could be a tall order. What is the plan? The security guarantee that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy really wants is NATO membership. European members of the military alliance still back that goal, but the US looks to have taken it off the table, along with Ukrainian hopes of regaining the fifth of its territor

Illegal immigration is the 'greatest threat' to Europe and US: JD Vance

For decades, the issue of illegal immigrants has been a major concern in the US, shaping political debates, influencing elections, and driving policy changes on border security

Amid war of words, Trump calls Zelenskyy a 'dictator without elections'

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Trump's envoy, Keith Kellogg, in an effort to engage in constructive discussions. However, the Ukrainian President remains skeptical of negotiations

Oyo-owned European holiday home brand 'DanCenter' debuts in India

To begin with luxurious villas in Siolim, North Goa

HSBC to incur $1.8 bn in costs over next two years in CEO's revamp

Europe's largest bank, which has been deepening its push into Asia and some Middle East markets, reported fourth-quarter pretax profit of $2.3 billion

European leaders hold emergency talks, fear Trump leaving age-old allies

European leaders sought to form a united front Monday at emergency talks in Paris, called after a US diplomatic blitz on Ukraine which has thrown a once-solid alliance into turmoil and left the Europeans questioning the reliability of their key transatlantic partner. Shortly before the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with US President Donald Trump, but Macron's office would not disclose details about the 20-minute discussion. Leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark and the European Union met at the Elysee Palace for talks on Europe's security quandary. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was also there. Since last week, top US officials from the Trump administration, on their first visit to Europe, left the impression that Washington was ready to embrace the Kremlin while it cold-shouldered many of its age-old European allies. The US to leave Europe out of the negotiating table Gen Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy fo

European leaders want say in talks to end Russia's war; US brushes them off

European leaders insisted on Monday their governments must have a say in talks between the US and Russia to end the war in Ukraine, as both Moscow and Washington said there was no role for Europe in the negotiations that could shape the future of the continent. Leaders of Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, NATO and the European Union met for over three hours at the Elysee Palace in Paris for emergency talks on Europe's security quandary after a US diplomatic blitz on Ukraine which has thrown a once-solid alliance into turmoil. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for US backing while reaffirming he's ready to consider sending British forces on the Ukrainian ground alongside others "if there is a lasting peace agreement". "There must be a US backstop, because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again," Starmer said after the meeting. Many EU nations are still undecided about whether to send troops .

European leaders regroup in Paris after Trump's push to end Ukraine war

French President Emmanuel Macron called leaders from key European Union nations and the United Kingdom to his ornate Elysee Palace on Monday for an emergency meeting on how to deal with the US, a once rock-solid partner. The move follows a weeklong diplomatic blitz on Ukraine by the Trump administration that seemed to embrace the Kremlin while it cold-shouldered many of its age-old European allies. Despite belligerent warnings for months ahead of Donald Trump's reelection as US president, EU leaders publicly ignored the ominous forebodings and somehow hoped Trump would stand side by side with Europe, as it would finally start to act on beefing up its defences and become less reliant on the firepower of Washington. But a flurry of speeches by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during their initial visits to Europe last week questioned both Europe's security commitments and its fundamental democratic principles. Macron said their stinging rebukes and threats of

Trump shrugs off EU's reported plans for US-style import curbs on food

Early targets could include US crops such as soybeans grown using pesticides that EU farmers are not allowed to use

Ukraine, Europe fear being sidelined as Trump pushes talks with Russia

President Donald Trump's approach to ending Russia's war against Ukraine has left European allies and Ukrainian officials worried they are being largely sidelined by the new US administration as Washington and Moscow plan direct negotiations. With the three-year war grinding on, Trump is sending Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security advisor Mike Waltz and special envoy Steve Witkoff to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russian counterparts, according to a US official who was not authorised to publicly discuss the upcoming diplomatic efforts and spoke on condition of anonymity. The outreach comes after comments by top Trump advisors this past week, including Vice-President JD Vance, raised new concerns in Kyiv and other European capitals that the Republican administration is intent on quick resolution to the conflict with minimum input from Europe. "Decades of the old relationship between Europe and America are ending," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an address at t

Aurobindo Pharma to begin supplies to Europe from China plant in April

Aurobindo Pharma will commence supplies to Europe from its China facility from April onwards, according to Chief Financial Officer Santhanam Subramanian. The Hyderabad-based drug maker commenced operations at the facility in the last week of November 2024 and is now ramping up the production. "The China plant will start billing sometime in the month of April, mainly to the European markets," Subramanian told analysts in a call. The company has received European regulatory approvals and can initiate product supply to the market, he added. "We are in the process of getting it (in China) and after that there may be an inspection for the US (market) also," Subramanian said. The company expects good traction coming out of the China plant over the next 2-3 years, he noted. When asked about revenue projections, Subramanian stated: "This being the first year, we may not like to, but certainly I see a significant revenue coming up in two to three years' time." On a query regarding the ..

Europeans to respond to US at Munich conference as Trump admin upends norms

European leaders trying to make sense of a tough new line from Washington on issues including democracy and Ukraine's future were set to express their reactions on Saturday, as the Trump administration continues to upend trans-Atlantic conventions that have been in place since after World War II. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were to speak on the second day of the Munich Security Conference, a day after US Vice President JD Vance all but scolded European allies over democracy and raised questions about the US commitment to help Ukraine's defence against Russian forces. US President Donald Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in which he said the two leaders would likely meet soon to negotiate a peace deal. Trump later assured Zelenskyy that he, too, would have a seat at the table. The war was sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Already Friday, the Ukrainian leader said that his countr

Internal issues bigger threat than China or Russia: Vance warns EU leaders

In his first significant speech at the Munich Security Conference as vice president, Vance condemned European politicians, accusing them of suppressing free speech, mishandling immigration

Europe quietly plans to send troops to Ukraine for post-war security

Increasingly alarmed that US security priorities lie elsewhere, a group of European countries has been quietly working on a plan to send troops into Ukraine to help enforce any future peace settlement with Russia. Britain and France are at the forefront of the effort, though details remain scarce. The countries involved in the discussions are reluctant to tip their hand and give Russian President Vladimir Putin an edge should he agree to negotiate an end to the war he launched three years ago. What is clear is that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy needs a guarantee that his country's security will be assured until peace takes hold. The best protection would be the NATO membership that Ukraine has long been promised, but the US has taken that option off the table. I won't get into the particular capabilities, but I do accept that if there is peace then there needs to be some sort of security guarantee for Ukraine and the UK will play its part in that, British Prime Minister Ke

Europe's pharma, car giants most at risk from Trump's tariff threats

Trump ordered his administration on Thursday to consider imposing reciprocal tariffs on a country-by-country basis